Waimea Man Killed in Head-on Collision 05-10-01

A South Kohala man died Thursday night (May 10, 2001) following a head-on collision that occurred on the Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) near the White Road intersection at the 54-mile marker in Waimea.

The victim was identified as Dominador Busque, 46, of a Waimea address.

Responding to a 7:21 p.m. call, police determined that the victim was driving his 1992 Toyota Tercel west on Route 19 when the car crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 1977 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Clifford Guerpo, 51, of a Waimea address.

Both drivers were transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where Busque was pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m. Guerpo was treated and released from the hospital.

Both men were believed to have been wearing their seatbelts, and weather conditions at the time of the accident were rainy.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers are continuing their investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

This was the 12th fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared to 10 at the same time last year.